About the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aims to provide long term, high quality support to people who have a permanent disability that significantly affects their communication, mobility, self-care or self-management.

The NDIS focus's on intensive early intervention, particularly for people where there is sound evidence that it will substantially improve functioning, delay or lesson decline in such functioning. The NDIS also looks to include a comprehensive information referral service, to help people with a disability who need to access mainstream disability and community supports.

How to access the NDIS or find services

The NDIS started in July 2013 as a trial in four locations. The NDIS now have offices located in all states and territories. To find an NDIS office near you, click on their locations page.

In July 2016, the NDIS finished its trial period and the full Scheme began rolling out across Australia. Click on your state or territory below to find out when you can access the NDIS in your area:

Access to the NDIS for children age 0-6 - The ECEI Approach

The ECEI approach supports children aged 0-6 years who have a developmental delay or disability and their families/carers. The ECEI approach supports families to help children develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their life. ECIA has been directly involved with the NDIA in co-designing the key elements that are critical factors for positive outcomes for young children with developmental delay or disability.

The NDIS has engaged Early Childhood Partners around Australia to deliver the ECEI approach. Early Childhood Partners are experienced in providing early childhood intervention.

As every child is different, your Early Childhood Partner will tailor support to your child’s individual needs and circumstances. Your Early Childhood Partner will provide you with information.

They may also:

Connect you and your child with the most appropriate supports in your area, such as the community health centre, educational setting and playgroup

Provide some short-term early intervention where it has been identified as the most appropriate support

Help you to request NDIS access if your child requires longer-term early childhood intervention supports. If your child becomes an NDIS participant the Early Childhood Partner will work with you to develop an NDIS plan.

One of the NDIS's NSW Partners, Uniting NSW/ACT, are temporarily sending a small team of Local Area Coordinators to South Australia to work alongside the local NDIA office and the new SA PITC, Baptcare and Mission Australia to assist with the delivery of Local Area Coordination services. Uniting NSW/ACT staff will be using NDIS co-branded materials and badges to ensure they are easily identifiable as Local Area Coordinators.

Tasmania

Mission AustraliaNorth West Tel: 03 6420 6850
South East Tel: 03 6212 6850
(Servicing the South East and North West areas)

From 1 July 2018, the nationally-delivered NDIS will begin to be available to new participants based on where they live. Please click here to view the geographic roll out in Western Australia page to find out where and when the NDIS will be available.

To find out more about LACs and the NDIS from the NDIS website, please click here.

Individual Funding Plan

Where a child receives an Individual Funding Plan, their family can choose how they would like to manage the funding within the plan. Information on the different plan management options is available at NDIS - Understanding your plan and supports.

Many families choose to access a registered NDIS service provider. More information about how to register as an NDIS service provider can be found at the NDIS - Provider Toolkit.

Information on pricing and payment of NDIS registered providers can be viewed by clicking here.